This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Odom, Williams Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/8645 Message Board Post: Houston Chronicle, Thur., 22 April 2004, Sec. A ODOM On Sunday evening, April 18, 2004, LONNIE FAYE ODOM, affectionately known as Granny, answered Heaven's call. She departed this earth surrounded by the love and support of her children, grandchildren and extended family and friends and landed safely in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lonnie Faye Williams was one of 12 children born to the Rev. John and Mattie Williams on February 22, 1919. She was raised in Milano, Texas and attended Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, where she lettered in varsity debate (is that where we get our arguing skills from?). She married Harold Odom on September 6, 1940. She had a passion for teaching and taught at various levels over the years before retiring from the Ft. Worth Independent School District in the 1970s. During that era, she was also founding member of the Fort Worth Chapter of Jack and Jill, a member of the Maids and Matrons Club and the Ethel Ransom Social Club. After cracking the code to a racially discriminatory testing system, she worked with a group of others to help break down barriers by becoming the first Black postal workers hired in Tarrant County. Granny was an extremely creative seamstress, milliner and florist, operating Odom's Floral Shop with her husband Harold in Fort Worth for many years. Her designs, hats and floral arrangements were a hit in the community. Her other passion was music. She had a voice like an angel and sang in her church choir and at many other concerts and musicals. One of the highlights of her music career was the annual musical at Baker Chapel AME which she participated in as a soloist and a choir member until her health begin to fail. Her beloved husband Harold A. Odom Sr., nine of her siblings and both parents preceded her in death. To mourn her passing, she leaves her siblings Gloria Gray, John Williams and wife Mildred; beloved in-laws S.T. Odom, Oletha Woods, James Odom, Arzela Cole, Larutha Clay and husband Matthew, Elzie Odom and wife Ruby; special aunt, Arvetta Cooper, sons Harold Jr. and wife Pat, Donald and wife Rose, Ronald and wife Doris; grandchildren, Al and wife Kim, Robin Owens and husband Hawkins III, Ronald, Jr., Donald, Jr. and wife Erica, Eric, Andrea Campbell and husband Donovan, Kevin and Allison. Great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Family will receive friends 10am to 11am, St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., Friday, April 23, 2004. Service at St. John's United Methodist Church, April 23, 2004, 11am, Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus officiating. Interment Shankle Cemetery, Jasper, TX, April 24, 2004, 1pm. The Family wishes to thank Trina Carter for her loyal devotion and patience while providing care for Granny. The Family wishes to especially thank Catherine Morrow, for extending Granny's life exponentially and being an extension of our family. You have done more than words can ever express as you loved and cared for Granny so unselflessly. We are forever in your debt.